Cop retiring after 43 years has last ride in West Seattle

Officer John Bernasconi, who is retiring after 43 years, had his last ride as Drillmaster of the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team in Saturdays West Seattle Grand Parade. (Casey McNerthney/seattlepi.com)

The Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team started the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday morning, and for the team’s drillmaster, the ride was his last.

Officer John Bernasconi joined the force on April 15, 1969 and is retiring this year after 43 years.

The longest-serving member of the drill team, Bernasconi was given the option of having his last ride as drillmaster at the Seafair Torchlight Parade next week. But instead he chose to have it at the West Seattle Grand Parade.

His and his wife, Cindy, are longtime West Seattle residents. Their daughter, who flew here from Australia, and Bernasconi’s mother were among the crowd Saturday to watch his last ride.

A gallery of the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill team is above. Read more about Bernasconi from our news partners at KOMO/4, or here from the West Seattle Blog.